Spirit Airlines pulls 'More bang for your buck' ad that spoofed Secret Service

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines used the Secret Service sex scandal to promote flights to Colombia.

Spirit Airlines issued an apology and pulled a racy ad spoofing the Secret Service Colombian prostitution scandal that many people found offensive.

The Secret Service said Friday that three of its agents under investigation for allegations of misconduct in Colombia have resigned, NBC News reported. In all 12 agents have been implicated, including one who was "cleared of serious misconduct" but will still face administrative action, the agency said.

Spirit Airlines' ad featured women in pink bikinis around an agent implying secrecy and the slogan "More Bang for your Buck" for flights to Cartagena, Colombia – the location of the scandal – as well as other destinations.

Read the original story at NBCMiami.com


At this weekend's ExpoColombia in Miami, community activists said the businesses and tourism being showcased there is what Colombia is all about, not prostitutes.

“I think it would make anybody angry,” activist Fabio Andrade said. "Colombia's more than this. We have worked so hard to change the image of Colombia. We have worked so hard for Colombians to come and tourism to come. The airlines are working very hard to bring tourism to our country, and to do this is denigrating. And people are very offended by this."

12th Secret Service agent implicated in prostitution scandal; three more quit

Spirit Airlines released a statement saying that at the Colombian government’s request, "Spirit pulled its ad yesterday, and we meant no disrespect to our many friends and valued customers."

As new details emerged about the growing scandal that has already taken down several presidential bodyguards, the U.S. Secret Service worked behind-the-scenes on Capitol Hill Friday to salvage its damaged reputation. NBC's Mark Potter reports.

The airlines flies from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to four cities in Colombia.

Several Colombian-American women told NBC 6 the scandal is embarrassing, but Colombia is not the one with the tarnished reputation in this case.

"I just think it’s an embarrassment for the United States agency. That’s who is guilty. Not anybody else," Martha Yepes said.

Myriam Hernandez noted that every country has prostitutes, "not just in Colombia. It’s everywhere."

"I don’t think it reflects badly," said Lauren Santa Cruz. "I just think people need something to talk about, and this is just something that’s happened."

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F**king brilliant! Sorry they pulled the ad.

  • 2 votes
Reply#28 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 3:28 PM EDT

HAHAHA!!!!!! Love it!!!!! Now thats advertising!! Might as well, the porn industry will be cashing in soon too...

  • 1 vote
Reply#29 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 3:32 PM EDT

.

    Reply#30 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 3:44 PM EDT

    The ad was HILARIOUS! What's funny is that although the ad was clearly poking fun at the Secret Service, it was the Colombian government that was offended!

    • 3 votes
    Reply#31 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:13 PM EDT

    So the controversial add is pulled and many of the news outlets post the add, thereby increasing the number of people who see it 50 fold. Also, how many people downloaded it and circulated it because it was funny? I wonder... is it possible some of these are produced with the intention that they will be pulled and then circulated? I never would have seen a Spirit Airlines add except for this "controversy." I guarantee about 90% of the people who see it find it hilarious.

    ...lol

    • 1 vote
    Reply#32 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:30 PM EDT

    Boy oh boy.....I bet that agent who didn't want to pay....wish he had!!! Agents really got caught up in this one. I'm sure this happens all the time....after all....most men who travel and stay gone for weeks to months are usually doing just this. For sure the married ones are getting it on both ends.....As for the Ad....at least Spirit kept it real....but of course it was in bad taste.

      Reply#33 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:42 PM EDT

      It's just funny. Get over it! I downloaded it and sent it to everyone in my address book. I know most of them will do the same. It will be very widely distributed.

      • 1 vote
      Reply#34 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:54 PM EDT

      How is this funny? It's an ad that is simply RESTATING a news article. There's no subtlety, no spin, no unexpected angle, nothing. Restating the news is funny? It's pathetic. But then again, I never went for humor that was eaten up by those in the meaty, middle part of the curve. Glad you like it, would you like a side of swill to go with your burger?

        #34.1 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:02 PM EDT
        Reply

        Our country and our President were vulnerable to a terrorist plot. How stupid of these trailer park people in this forum thinking this was funny. 3,000 Americans were killed on 9/11 and President Bush and President Obama have been trying to keep us safe. The Secret Service let our President and our country down. If they'd gotten their hands on information (documents or bed talk), We could have been setup for another attack. I can't believe how stupid people can be to think this crap is funny. I'm not as concerned about Colombians (correct spelling, not Columbians) because they have their own issues to worry about. However, my country, my President and my safety was jeopardized. This isn't about a sense of humor you clowns, it's national security. Get serious and get real. Don't blame the Arabs or Muslims the next time we get hit. Blame the idiots that don't take our security seriously.

        • 1 vote
        Reply#35 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:57 PM EDT

        Mike Aziz....excellent post....

          #35.1 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:03 PM EDT

          The ad is asinine at best but the way you've tied your lack of humor with bad advertising to national security is the kind of thing that would get you thrown out of any decent social studies class in High School.

          Obama keeps us safe? Fascinating view point. Never mind the fact that our borders are Swiss cheese, we have active internal support for violent groups who are willing to provide money to the less fortunate and our military is busy pissing off people who have absolutely nothing to loose. But that's another topic.

          • 1 vote
          #35.2 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:08 PM EDT

          Maybe aziz, the SS realizes this communist who holds the office of president needs to be taken out to save our great nation. Ever think of that? This is a humourous ad!

            #35.3 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:54 PM EDT
            Reply

            The ad screams 'TACKY!' Like a college frat boy farted this out the night before the assignment was due. If the only purpose of the ad was to get attention: mission accomplished. If it was to make a company look like something run by douche bag amateurs who don't know how to fly a plane, again, mission accomplished. If this is all you need to make a fortune on Wall Street, sign me up. I can make a living from my bathroom in less than 30 minutes a week.

              Reply#36 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:59 PM EDT

              I find the ad offensive and quite typical of Spirit Airlines....flew them once and certainly don't plan to fly them again....it's a third rate airline if you can call it that....I say the ad brought more shame to the US and certainly kept this disgraceful issue of the SS in the news...Spirit Airlines, you're pathetic....

                Reply#37 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:00 PM EDT

                this country does enough to embarass itself it does not need any help on that, the rest of the world thinks we are greedy, uneducated and below their standards of a society and you know what they are right. Try and have a conversation with one of our high school grads or interview one for a job I found that 99% of them would be able to work at mcdonalds. and not to worry most of them will be on welfare soon if not allready

                • 1 vote
                #37.1 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:38 PM EDT

                Guess you didn't know they offer an in flight "happy ending."

                  #37.2 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 6:00 PM EDT
                  Reply
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                    Reply#38 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:02 PM EDT

                    You're a douche who really needs to see a psychiatrist for medication to control your disorder. We really don't need to hear about another subway train full of people shot up by the likes of you because your toaster told you they were evil.

                      #38.1 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:04 PM EDT

                      hold on there trigger!

                        #38.2 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:29 PM EDT
                        Reply

                        Aww. Did we embarrass the Obama White House? I'm sure if this were an ad mocking the Secret Service under the Bush regime, there would be little or no objection to the spoof.

                        • 2 votes
                        Reply#39 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:08 PM EDT

                        No, it offended whoever the powerful with deep pockets are. All it would take is one phone call from the right person in power, plus a threat made to say . . . . . AUDIT the airline, then the ad gets pulled real quick, babe. Its an election year with very powerful people floating huge amounts of money, and this quirky and harmless airline ad being sacked is just one of many examples about how censorship of freedom of speech and artistic expression is on the rise. That's not a ridiculous assessment. Is it not obvious it goes on? Just ask the corrupt journalists of this web site, they know and can tell you a lot more than I.

                        • 2 votes
                        Reply#40 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:18 PM EDT

                        You see, its an election year, folks. All the very powerful who have a lot of money are buying silence, buying televised testimony, buying ads - - as well as paying lots of money to have ads pulled down and silenced, like this "More Bang for your Buck" ad. All you have to remember in this election year is that EVERYBODY IN THE NEWS AND IN AN AD IS A LIAR, and then its easy to see some things. Those in power with big money are controlling everything, like what ads get cancelled if unflaterring to Obama's Secret Service, and also like whoever was in power in the Army top rank to make sure Ted Nugent was un-invited from performing at Fort Knox Army Base.

                        • 2 votes
                        Reply#41 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:26 PM EDT

                        Offensive? This is Awesome!!!!!!

                        • 2 votes
                        Reply#42 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:26 PM EDT

                        well I see the libbers are letting the libbers off again by letting them resign and get fired they should be going to jail. I don't care if sudam obama kicks the bucket tomorrow, but I do care what happens to the office of the president.

                        • 1 vote
                        Reply#43 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:27 PM EDT

                        One thing for sure, we no they like P***Y!

                        • 1 vote
                        Reply#44 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:29 PM EDT

                        There are top powerful leaders with big money and big control who have Democratic leanings and preferences. During an election year a top ranking Army general who likes democrats and likes Obama can make sure Ted Nugent gets "un-invited" from a Fort Know Army Post concert. By the same token somebody also aligned with government and rulership can also have a funny and harmless little airline ad disappear. By the same token these same people would not think twice about making you or I simply disappear, and have a good laugh over it, and sleep peacefully at night, so have a nice day.

                        • 1 vote
                        Reply#46 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:33 PM EDT

                        get a life! Loser

                        • 1 vote
                        #46.1 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:02 PM EDT
                        Reply

                        I watched a documentary on today's Secret Service done by National Geographic and the country that counterfeits the most US currency is Colombia. No wonder those prostitutes wanted more than the traditional two dollars US.

                          Reply#47 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:39 PM EDT

                          Great ad! The spoof was well done and...well deserved.

                          If the Secret service can't even keep a bj secret...they ain't that apt at their job after all - and that was the worse part of this - not necessarily what they did but HOW they did it!

                          • 1 vote
                          Reply#48 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:44 PM EDT

                          This is what sucks about this day an age nobody has a sense of humer anymore. Groups and individals are so super sensative and everyting has to be controversual and blown up for nothing. And I tell you what this country is gonna end up being it's worst enemy.

                          • 1 vote
                          Reply#49 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:54 PM EDT

                          You got that right! BTW that was a bad pun.

                            #49.1 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:00 PM EDT
                            Reply

                            The ad from Spirit shows just that - "Spirit". It's a spoof, laugh people - it's funny, except to maybe the Prez and the agents' wives!

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#50 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:54 PM EDT

                            Hilarious. And if's not as if SOMEONE didn't do SOMETHING they shouldn't have and got caught. I'm still laughing.

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#51 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:57 PM EDT

                            If the people of Columbia are so 'offended' then MAYBE they ought to consider changing their laws -- IE illegalize prostitution. Otherwise, it is what it is.

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#52 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:57 PM EDT

                            I third it Yes it's funny guess they can't take a joke after they are caught wonder how long this has been going on? Guess the government can't take a joke after they are caught with their pants down!!

                              Reply#53 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 6:01 PM EDT
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